"Vulture funds and short sellers, meanwhile, are circling over several other giants, including American Airlines parent AMR and telecom-equipment makers Lucent Technologies (LU ) and Nortel Networks (NT ). Management at each insists bankruptcy isn't in the cards. They say they'll survive thanks to restructurings, the cash they've salted away -- and an eventual upturn in demand. "We're doing everything we can to avoid bankruptcy," AMR Chairman and Chief Executive Donald J. Carty assured employees on Dec. 13.

.....And if there's another downturn? "All bets are off," she says. In the meantime, scavengers such as Ross will have no problem finding plenty of bargain-basement assets."

Stock 'investing' anyone? This has become a market of vultures and shorters.

Announcements

When Life Gives You Lemons
We all have had hardships and made poor decisions. The important thing is how we respond and grow. Read the story of a Fool who started from nothing, and looks to gain everything.

Work for Fools?
Winner of the Washingtonian great places to work, and Glassdoor #1 Company to Work For 2015! Have access to all of TMF's online and email products for FREE, and be paid for your contributions to TMF! Click the link and start your Fool career.